Tyco Electronics’ Global Application Tooling Division (GATD) has collaboratively worked with Graphic Solutions International (GSI) to provide them with an RFID Inlay assembly system. This equipment will assemble semiconductor chips, surface-mount devices and printed batteries onto a continuous web of printed antennas, adding RFID capability to tags and labels.
Working closely with GSI, Tyco provided a reel to reel system that allows GSI to mount flip-chips, SMDs and printed batteries on a continuous web of printed antennas and conductive traces. The system is capable of the high-speed mounting of electronic components on a 6,000'+ (1,800+ m) roll of 20" wide material. After conductive printing, the roll is fed into the Tyco machine where components are added along with one or two printed batteries. Upon completion, the roll can be slit into individual streams and rolled, or supplied in production web width rolls for delivery. A typical circuit is inlaid with batteries, an RFID chip and a printed antenna. Its speed allows for production levels up to 26 million inlays per year.
The continuous web assembly system produces inlays that offer performance improvements over conventional PCBs. The system allows mounting flip chips for almost any purpose, as well as the ability to mount most standard SMDs along with GSI’s printed batteries. Can mount on paper, PET or other flexible substrates, and features a variable width capability up to 20" wide. Can accommodate printed substrates from 0.002" to 0.005" thick, mount on continuous rolls with a repeat pitch of 0.8" and position chips to micron accuracy.
Graphic Solutions International, graphicsolutionsinc.com
Tyco Electronics, tycoelectronics.com.